A consortium of New England states and electric utilities issued a joint RFP to identify projects that will advance New England clean energy goals and received 24 bids for large solar, wind, fuel cell and hydro generation and transmission projects. The proposals total several thousand megawatts across the Northeast. Winning bids will be chosen this spring, potentially resulting in power purchase agreements (PPAs) before the end of the year.

These projects will necessitate investment in new transmission lines and substations. And, ratepayers in other states may bear the costs – a key point for Maine policymakers – while providing price stability and energy diversity across the grid.